© 2024
NPR for Northern Colorado
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Joint Budget Committee Grapples with $1 Billion Shortfall

Colorado State Capitol
Creative Commons
Colorado State Capitol

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper will release his budget plans for the following year next week. And with an estimated $ 1.1 billion shortfall to fill – lawmakers will have to grapple with cuts to programs and services that have a direct impact on all Coloradan’s. KUNC kicks off our “Government and You” series with a look at the six lawmakers who are largely responsible for balancing Colorado’s budget. http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kunc/local-kunc-950673.mp3

Most of the members on the powerful Joint Budget Committee are new and for the first time in years it’s evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. KUNC’s State Capitol Reporter Bente Birkeland has this overview of the committee and the challenges they face in the months ahead.

Bente Birkeland has been reporting on state legislative issues for KUNC and Rocky Mountain Community Radio since 2006. Originally, from Minnesota, Bente likes to hike and ski in her spare time. She keeps track of state politics throughout the year but is especially busy during the annual legislative session from January through early May.